Natalie Garcia
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Picture William Urdaneta

The controversy is served with the decision of the Ministry of People's Power for Basic Industries and Mining (Mibam) to take advantage of the Las Cristinas project, located in the town of Las Claritas in the south of Bolivar, the Canadian company Crystallex, which for years are behind the environmental permits that allow the exploitation of the deposit, considered one of the richest in Latin America with 21 million ounces of proven gold.

The owner of Mibam, Rodolfo Sanz, told a regional radio station the decision of the Venezuelan State to take the mine, which since its arrival had been commenting for the post. On several occasions he was asked the officer on the subject, but never wanted to say anything about it.

Recently at the launch of the La Camorra mine in the town Sifontes, Sanz said: "I will not say anything because it can serve to speculation." And certainly it reserved until this Wednesday with the intent to mine Las Cristinas, which will from now on, according to an official source, the new "Gold mining district Alba" featuring the countries that make up the Bolivarian Alternative for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA).

Without notifications
Crystallex produced a communique on Thursday in which he states: "Crystallex is aware of some comments regarding the control of Las Cristinas gold. The company has not been notified of any change in position in relation Mibam with the Las Cristinas project or contract for the exploitation of mines. In addition, team members have had meetings of Crystallex, as recently as today (November 5) with officials from Mibam and the CVG and no questions were raised regarding the control of Las Cristinas. "

Such a meeting referred to by the company refers to the transfer of mines Tomi and La Victoria, located in El Callao, the Venezuelan State. The measure would be implemented in late 2008 and early 2009. Both sites will go under the administration of CVG Minerven, although there is still no definitive agreements, hence the surprise of the Canadian corporation before the ministerial announcement.

In another part of the manifesto of the trans, which is worth limit was sent from Toronto, Canada, in English, notes that "Crystallex continues to fulfill its obligations, maintains its interest and still is the builder and operator of the Las Cristinas gold project. Crystallex will continue to press their case for issuing the environmental permit, so that the project can move forward to benefit Venezuela, local communities, stakeholders and its shareholders. "

Added about the mining company "Crystallex International Corporation is a Canadian-based gold with a major operation and exploration properties in Venezuela. The main asset of the firm is the Las Cristinas property in Bolivar State, which is currently under development at the initial planned production rate of two hundred thousand tons of ore per day. "

Tensions with the miners
On the other hand, were consulted several residents of Las Claritas for the environment of the mining area following the announcement. Testimony showed that "from this Wednesday the company has been collecting his things, we do not know why. On Thursday the security of the company has treated badly to the miners who are in the area ", who might begin to invade even more surrounding the reservoir to know the extent of government.

It may be recalled that the contract with Crystallex was signed during management Francisco Rangel Gomez in the CVG, who is the current governor of the entity. By that time, the Canadian paid $ 15 million for the corresponding permits. Under the agreements, the CVG should assist in the processing of other precautions, such as the need for the use of explosives.

However, never knew the fate of millions of dollars have been paid and many dissatisfactions of the residents of Las Claritas, who hoped to see the people come through the controlled exploitation of the deposit, but neither the one nor the other.

The population of Las Claritas shows the carelessness of the municipal government, regional and social commitments of the companies. Despite being one of the Las Cristinas deposits richest in Latin America, its surroundings are of poverty and unemployment, and to check just enough to give a tour of this town in the south, which even has some good basic services.

At press time it was learned that an international agency describing the passage of the Las Cristinas project to the group Rusoro Agapov, but in a high-level meeting between the Venezuelan government and representatives of Russia, attending working groups to perform in Caracas binational agreements, the minister Sanz, it was clear to the claims of the Soviets, to administer Las Cristinas, reaffirming that any pact before the company must comply with all the social commitments.

These agreements were established between Agapov, and the company Minera Nacional, with which it signed on Friday in Maracaibo, the strategic alliance of the joint venture for operating gold mine and La Camorra Isidora, in El Callao and Sifontes, respectively.

Another of the points in the working groups was the possibility of a technological exchange with a Russian corporation, an expert in handling the separation of gold and copper.